On September 21, 2024, London’s iconic Wembley Stadium will host a thrilling heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois for the IBF Heavyweight Championship. This all-British affair promises to be a captivating contest between two of the UK’s finest boxers.
Bookmakers heavily favor Anthony Joshua, citing his superior arsenal and cardio. In a prolonged fight, the former unified champion is expected to outpoint or stop his younger compatriot.
Dubois, known for his explosive knockout power, faces a significant challenge in breaching Joshua’s excellent defense. The interim champion will need to execute a perfect tactical plan to overcome his more experienced opponent.
Anthony Joshua
- Former unified WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight champion
- Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Professional record: 28 wins (24 KOs), 3 losses
Joshua lost his titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and has since been laser-focused on reclaiming at least one world title. A victory over the hard-hitting Dubois would accomplish this goal. The memory of his shocking loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 likely serves as motivation to avoid another upset.
Joshua’s Game Plan
Expect Joshua to utilize his devastating cross and lateral movement to keep Dubois at bay. He’ll likely employ short combinations to the head while avoiding prolonged exchanges. A stiff jab and constant movement behind his left hand will be key components of his strategy.
Joshua may look to duck under straight punches and unleash powerful body shots. While he might cede the center of the ring, he’ll rely on head movement and a solid guard rather than retreating to the ropes.
Look for Joshua to increase the tempo from the second round, throwing punches from all angles and evading overhands. He’ll work to escape clinches quickly to control the majority of rounds.
Daniel Dubois
- Interim IBF Heavyweight Champion
- Former WBA (Regular), WBC Silver, and WBO Global champion
- Professional record: 21 wins (20 KOs), 2 losses
In his recent fight against Filip Hrgović, Dubois aggressively pursued a knockout, sometimes at the expense of losing rounds. While this approach proved successful, it’s unlikely to work against a boxer of Joshua’s caliber. The opportunity to face Joshua has undoubtedly motivated Dubois to refine his strategy.
Dubois’ Game Plan
Dubois will likely rely on his double jab and left hook-straight right combinations. Once inside, he’ll target Joshua’s body and look for shots behind the elbow. Expect constant head movement from Dubois as he tries to land overhand punches from various angles.
After power shots, Dubois may briefly retreat before explosively re-entering mid-range with a left hook followed by a quick cross. From long range, he’ll employ single, powerful straight punches.
If Joshua shows signs of fatigue, Dubois will look for a knockout uppercut following a series of hooks.
Keys to Victory
For Joshua, controlling the pace and distance will be crucial. His superior footwork and experience should allow him to outmaneuver Dubois and potentially secure a late stoppage or clear decision victory.
Dubois’ path to victory lies in his knockout power. He’ll aim to slow Joshua down in the early rounds and look for a finish after the midway point. The 7th round could be pivotal, as Dubois should still be fresh enough to launch powerful combinations if he’s managed to diminish Joshua’s speed.
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois Fight Prediction
While Dubois might seek an early stoppage, it risks leaving him vulnerable. A gradual breakdown of Joshua’s defense might be more advantageous. Either way, Joshua will need to counter effectively, a task he should manage well.
Joshua might even pressure Dubois, similar to Usyk’s approach. This could allow Dubois easier access to close range for counter-attacks and body shots, potentially evening the odds.
Dubois’ willingness to engage in risky exchanges makes him dangerous, but defense will likely play a crucial role in this fight, favoring Joshua. As both fighters are expected to increase their pace after the midpoint, a bet on the fight lasting over 6.5 rounds seems appealing.
Our prediction: Anthony Joshua by decision or late TKO, with the fight lasting over 6.5 rounds.
